Apprentice Production Planner
LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NEWCASTLE LTD
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE (NE12 8EW)
Closes on Wednesday 2 July 2025
Posted on 30 April 2025
Contents
Summary
Swarm Training is working with Leica Biosystems, a leading manufacturer of cancer diagnostic tests, in their search for an Apprentice. This is a great opportunity to begin your career in a fast-paced environment. You will work alongside a team of experienced professionals, contributing to the planning and prioritisation of manufacturing processes.
- Wage
-
£16,500 a year
- Training course
- Supply chain practitioner (fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)) (level 3)
- Hours
-
Core working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with some flexibility.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The Production Planning Apprentice role sits within the Production Planning team which forms part of the Operations function. The team plays a pivotal role in the organisation, liaising with all key stakeholders which include suppliers, customers and third-party organisations and is responsible for all areas of daily production planning and scheduling.
- Production and capacity planning of all products manufactured at Newcastle, including detection kits, antibodies and ancillary products, which are supplied globally
- Daily execution of the production planning model
- Data analysis and decision-making to support raw material supply and finished goods demand
- Plan the weekly production schedules and organise daily and weekly adjustments in line with customer requirements
- Creation of work orders is required to execute production plans
- Work alongside the procurement team and materials planner to ensure a timely supply of raw materials to the Newcastle facility
- Manage customer expectations in line with the order management team for build-to-order products and the availability of back-order SKU
- Achieve 97% on-time delivery to Leica customers in line with business targets
- Collaborate with various departments across the site
Where you'll work
BALLIOL BUSINESS PARK
BENTON ROAD
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE12 8EW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
SWARM APPRENTICESHIPS C.I.C
Your training course
Supply chain practitioner (fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)) (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Manage the flow of fast-moving consumer goods products or services based on evolving and changing information.
- Use standard operating procedures.
- Support customers with supply chain enquiries.
- Use IT systems for the supply chain; Company and customer systems. Applies cyber security and GDPR regulations and policies.
- Use continuous improvement techniques in the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
- Lead and participate in problem solving activities: 5 whys, fishbone analysis.
- Use capacity planning to inform fast-moving consumer goods supply chain processes.
- Apply team working principles.
- Escalate issues and tasks.
- Analyse data against supply chain key performance indicators to identify trends and themes that affect the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
- Plan and adhere to customer lead times.
- Use data analysis outcomes to inform decision making in the supply chain function.
- Develop and implement a supply plan, for example, supply planning, production planning, demand planning, operations planning - logistics, commercial planning.
- Use order management tools to capture customer orders.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
- Apply quality assurance procedures.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic; risk assessments, handover documents, work sheets, checklists, and any legal reporting requirements.
- Comply with sustainability principles and regulations including efficient use of resources, recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
- Identify, organise and use resources, including team members, to plan and complete tasks, with consideration for cost and quality.
- Manage the flow of fast-moving consumer goods products or services based on evolving and changing information.
- Use standard operating procedures.
- Support customers with supply chain enquiries.
- Use IT systems for the supply chain; Company and customer systems. Applies cyber security and GDPR regulations and policies.
- Use continuous improvement techniques in the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
- Lead and participate in problem solving activities: 5 whys, fishbone analysis.
- Use capacity planning to inform fast-moving consumer goods supply chain processes.
- Apply team working principles.
- Escalate issues and tasks.
- Analyse data against supply chain key performance indicators to identify trends and themes that affect the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
- Plan and adhere to customer lead times.
- Use data analysis outcomes to inform decision making in the supply chain function.
- Develop and implement a supply plan, for example, supply planning, production planning, demand planning, operations planning - logistics, commercial planning.
- Use order management tools to capture customer orders.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
- Apply quality assurance procedures.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic; risk assessments, handover documents, work sheets, checklists, and any legal reporting requirements.
- Comply with sustainability principles and regulations including efficient use of resources, recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
- Identify, organise and use resources, including team members, to plan and complete tasks, with consideration for cost and quality.
Your training plan
More training information
Training will be with Swarm Training, a national apprenticeship provider in the UK. The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Supply Chain qualification, which takes 12-18 months to complete. The apprentice must complete a minimum of 6 hours per week during working hours, with monthly training sessions conducted by a tutor, with tasks assigned to be completed during those hours.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
English and Maths (grade C/4 or above)Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
Minimum of any three A-Level subjects (grade C or above)Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Time Management skills
- Ambition and motivation
- Enthusiasm to learn
About this company
Leica Biosystems’ mission of “Advancing Cancer Diagnostics, Improving Lives” is at the heart of their corporate culture. They are a global leader in cancer diagnostics with the most comprehensive portfolio from biopsy to diagnosis. Leica's easy-to-use and consistently reliable offerings help improve workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence. Their associates know that every moment matters when it comes to cancer diagnostics. When you come to work, you’re helping develop solutions that enable accurate diagnoses to turn anxiety into answers. Leica Biosystems is proud to work alongside a community of six fellow Diagnostics Companies at Danaher. Together, they're working at the pace of change to improve patient lives with diagnostic tools that address the world’s biggest health challenges. At Leica Biosystems, their goal is to help associates realise their lives’ potential to be able to deliver solutions to save lives in the world of cancer diagnostics.
https://www.leicabiosystems.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
On-site car park & canteen. Working in a friendly and welcoming environment. 25 days' holiday (increases with length of service). 6% Employer pension contribution. Death in service. Cycle to work scheme. Reward & recognition scheme.
After this apprenticeship
After completing the apprenticeship, a full-time position may be available for the right candidate. There are opportunities to build a long-term career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SWARM APPRENTICESHIPS C.I.C
Sophie Duffy
Sophie.d@swarmgroup.org.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000318111.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 2 July 2025
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Company’s application instructions
Please press 'Apply', fill in your details and attach a copy of your CV to apply.